Will Clemson's power of schedule impression its CFP hopes?

The place would the Clemson Tigers end in the event that they performed within the Massive Ten or the SEC? 

It’s a hypothetical query that might be mentioned over a five-course meal and nonetheless not have a definitive conclusion.  

Most would agree that Clemson is an effective school soccer crew. However are the Tigers worthy of a spot within the School Soccer Playoff? Based on Joel Klatt, we gained’t know till they're in it. And proper now it appears to be like like they are going to be, because it’s arduous to discover a potential loss on what's a comparatively simple remaining schedule.

"There isn't a different crew within the nation with a neater path to the playoff than Clemson, and it’s been that method for a while," Klatt mentioned on his podcast, "The Joel Klatt Present." "This can be a ridiculously weak one-team convention."

The Tigers have a bye this week earlier than touring to South Bend to tackle Notre Dame on Nov. 5. They shut out their season with three consecutive residence video games towards Louisville (Nov. 12), Miami (Nov. 19) and No. 25 South Carolina (Nov. 26). 

Clemson escapes No. 14 Syracuse

Joel Klatt wonders how good No. 5 Clemson is after it survived a problem from No. 14 Syracuse in Week 8.

Except one thing drastic takes place over the subsequent month, Clemson will undergo its total regular-season schedule with out taking part in a crew ranked increased than NC State was (No. 10) after they met on Oct. 1. The Wolfpack are actually No. 24.

Clemson is presently ranked No. 5 within the AP ballot and No. 6 in Klatt’s most up-to-date set of rankings.

Exterior the Tigers and Wolfpack, there are solely two ACC groups within the AP Prime 25: No. 10 Wake Forest and No. 16 Syracuse. For context, there are a mixed 11 ranked groups from the SEC and Massive Ten, and 7 of them seem within the prime 15. The truth is, Clemson is the one squad not within the SEC or Massive Ten ranked among the many prime six.

"It makes me want we had enlargement early as a result of there is no such thing as a a part of me that thinks that Clemson may end any increased than third within the SEC East or the Massive Ten East," Klatt mentioned.

Klatt’s level might be backed up by merely wanting on the numbers.

Of the eight groups Clemson has performed up thus far, solely two of them (Syracuse and NC State) rank within the prime 40 in factors allowed per sport. There are additionally solely two groups on Clemson’s schedule that rank within the prime 40 in factors per sport (Syracuse and Wake Forest). 

As compared, the SEC has six groups ranked inside the highest 30 in scoring protection, and 5 inside the highest 30 in scoring offense. The Massive Ten’s defensive numbers are even stronger, with greater than half of the convention ranked inside the highest 40 in scoring protection, and 4 groups within the prime 40 in scoring offense. 

"There’s no method on the planet they might win the Massive Ten or the SEC, however but, they’re going to the playoffs," Klatt mentioned. "So now, we’re preventing for 3 spots." 

The primary set of School Soccer Playoff rankings are set to be launched on Nov. 1. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see the place the Tigers land as soon as the committee releases these rankings, as not solely does Clemson have a comparatively simple schedule, it additionally has questions surrounding key positions, together with quarterback.

This previous weekend, the Tigers turned to backup QB Cade Klubnik to rally them to a 27-21 win over Syracuse after starter DJ Uiagalelei dedicated three turnovers by the halfway level of the third quarter.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has since mentioned that Uiagalelei might be this crew’s QB going ahead, however when speaking about "passing the attention check," the Tigers actually didn't appear like one of many 4 greatest groups within the nation.

"Do we actually assume they're all that good?" Klatt questioned. "I do not know, and the unhealthy half about that's we gained’t determine that out till they doubtlessly play a playoff sport." 

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